KFC has just released a new “Sweet Lightning” Mountain Dew and it tastes like peaches and honey

Fast food collaborations can be fairly hit and miss. For every Taco Bell Doritos shell or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup McFlurry, there’s a heart attack inducing Mac ‘n’ Cheese Cheeto waiting to send you running to the nearest emergency room. However, thanks to the famous fried chicken purveyors at KFC, we may now have a mash-up that’s worthy of kickstarting summer 2019.

From the 1st of July, the chicken chain will be introducing a new permanent Mountain Dew drink to menus up and down the country. Dubbed “Sweet Lightning”, the new beverage has been flavoured with peaches and honey and is available exclusively at KFC. Summer might be about to get a whole lot busier for the Colonel and his crew.

This announcement marks the second time that Mountain Dew have made one of their flavours available exclusively in a fast food restaurant. Way back in 2004, the brand partnered with KFC’s-now-sister restaurant, Taco Bell, introducing the world to “Baja Blast”. Now, 15 years later, Dew have decided it’s time to give it another go.

Speaking in a press release accompanying the news, Nicole Portwood, vice president of marketing at MTN DEW, revealed, “”Like KFC, MTN DEW is inspired by bold ideas and flavors, making this an authentic relationship from the start. To come together on an exclusive product – Sweet Lightning – is a thrill, and we look forward to delighting our customers’ taste buds and pushing the envelope on creativity.”

Portwood wasn’t the only executive to be excited about the possibilities for the project. According to Andrea Zahumensky, KFC’s chief marketing officer for the United States, “With the addition of Sweet Lightning, we now have a drink that is as unique to KFC as the Colonel’s secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. And like our world-famous fried chicken, Sweet Lightning will keep fans coming back for more.”

Unfortunately for international KFC and Mountain Dew fans, the new drink is currently expected to only be available in the United States, meaning that an expensive trip may be required to get a taste. Nonetheless, news of a new addition to the Mountain Dew lineup will be welcome relief to legions of thirsty fried chicken fans this summer. Here’s hoping it proves as successful as Baja Blast.